imperialism

[ im-peer-ee-uh-liz-uhm ]

See synonyms for: imperialism imperialist on Thesaurus.com

noun

the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies.
advocacy of imperial or sovereign interests over the interests of the dependent states.

imperial government; rule by an emperor or empress.
an imperial system of government.
British. the policy of so uniting the separate parts of an empire with separate governments as to secure for certain purposes a single state.

Origin of imperialism

First recorded in 1855–60; imperial¹ + -ism

Other words from imperialism

im·pe·ri·al·ist, noun, adjective
im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective
im·pe·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
non·im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective
non·im·pe·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
un·im·pe·ri·al·is·tic, adjective

Words Nearby imperialism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use imperialism in a sentence

All of this, even before the twin forces of industrialization and imperialism got to work.
Timeless meditations on Earth’s fragility, and the damage humans do | Balaji Ravichandran | May 14, 2021 | Washington Post
The memoir is also a portrait of the devastating effects of imperialism and racism on a person’s identity, self-worth and relationships—and offers a perspective on how a person can combat these legacies.
A return to the Okinawa she never knew | Akemi Johnson | April 2, 2021 | Washington Post
China is king on this continent, and while some citizens may grumble about a new imperialism, governments are eager for Beijing’s loans.
What Makes Strange Diplomatic Bedfellows? | Kate Bartlett | March 25, 2021 | Ozy
America stood alone, untainted by imperialism, a beacon of hope to many who looked for a counterweight to colonialists rampaging across the globe.
America and Iran, from fascination to antagonism | Ray Takeyh | February 26, 2021 | Washington Post
Citizens in other Western countries have also recognized the common origins of transatlantic slavery and imperialism and have expressed a desire to address that history.
For generations, African Americans have led global antiracist movements | Brenda Plummer | February 18, 2021 | Washington Post

Like imperialism, the foundation of humanitarianism is that the West knows best.
Confronting George Clooney’s Critics on South Sudan | John Avlon | October 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Stringer depicts a country that is beset by complications of both past imperialism and current globalism.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Feb. 24, 2014 | Thomas Flynn | February 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ottoman imperialism is now religiously overlooked for inclusion in postcolonial studies at Western universities.
Best Books About the Rest of the World | Kapil Komireddi | December 24, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Because for the global left, imperialism is the great sin of the modern world.
The Real Problem With the American Studies Association's Boycott of Israel | Peter Beinart | December 17, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
What Erik Loomis is proposing is left-wing economic imperialism.
Should We Force Other Countries to Be Safe? | Megan McArdle | April 30, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The gradual recognition of the constitutional theory of the British empire, and the assumption by the principal imperialism.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 | Various
Already we had given imperialism a criticism, and leavened half the press from our columns.
The New Machiavelli | Herbert George Wells
There is another side to imperialism besides dreaded anarchies.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume V | John Lord
Marx with his book is driving the states out of the trench of imperialism and capitalism.
Communism and Christianism | William Montgomery Brown
It was a withering satire on Russian imperialism, and it stirred a wide response.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete | Albert Bigelow Paine

British Dictionary definitions for imperialism

imperialism

/ (ɪmˈpɪərɪəˌlɪzəm) /

noun

the policy or practice of extending a state's rule over other territories
an instance or policy of aggressive behaviour by one state against another

the extension or attempted extension of authority, influence, power, etc, by any person, country, institution, etc: cultural imperialism
a system of imperial government or rule by an emperor
the spirit, character, authority, etc, of an empire
advocacy of or support for any form of imperialism

Derived forms of imperialism

imperialist, adjective, noun
imperialistic, adjective
imperialistically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for imperialism

imperialism

Acquisition by a government of other governments or territories, or of economic or cultural power over other nations or territories, often by force. Colonialism is a form of imperialism.

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